How to Identify American Ginseng
I. Distinguishing American Ginseng from Chinese Ginseng
American ginseng (scientific name: Panax quinquefolius) is a variety of ginseng. Historically, the United States was known as "Flower Flag Country" (花旗国), hence the name "Flower Flag Ginseng." It is also called Western ginseng, wild mountain ginseng, or Guangdong ginseng, and belongs to the powdered ginseng category. Therefore, American ginseng and Western ginseng are the same species, differing only in name.
II. Varieties of American Ginseng in the Market
1. American Ginseng
Wild specimens are cylindrical or elongated spindle-shaped. They measure 2–6 cm in length and 0.5–1.1 cm in diameter, lacking crown heads, fibrous roots, or lateral roots.Unpeeled specimens exhibit an earthy yellow or off-white surface; peeled ones reveal a white, powdery texture. Dense gray horizontal striations cover the entire root, particularly concentrated at the top, often forming deeper, ring-like patterns. The texture is loose. Cross-sections display a yellowish-white color with fine chrysanthemum-like heart patterns. It possesses a faint aromatic scent, a bitter yet sweet taste, and a sticky quality that stimulates saliva production when held in the mouth.
Imported cultivated varieties are termed cultivated ginseng, typically featuring large branches without crowns or fibrous roots, though one or two branch forks may be present. The body often exhibits straight patterns, with a yellowish-white cross-section displaying a solid core and no chrysanthemum-like patterns.
Domestically introduced American ginseng exhibits a cylindrical shape, measuring 3–10 cm in length and 0.5–2 cm in diameter, also lacking crowns, lateral roots, and fibrous roots.The surface is light yellowish-brown or yellow, with a smooth skin. The upper part displays dense horizontal rings, while the entire root shows vertical wrinkles and scars. Generally slender and elongated, it is slightly convex. The texture is relatively heavy. The fracture surface is flat, pale yellowish-white, with a darker color near the cambium ring and scattered reddish-brown dots. Radiating patterns are distinct. It has a faint fragrance, a slightly bitter taste, and a sweet aftertaste.
2. Inferior American Ginseng
Belongs to the same family and genus, but has had its active components artificially extracted. After drying, it is fraudulently passed off as genuine American ginseng. Appearance resembles genuine American ginseng. The fracture surface is grayish-white, with the cambium ring diffusing into a dark reddish-brown. Small reddish-brown dots remain visible in the phloem. It is dry and lacks oiliness.The texture is stiff. The aroma is faint. When chewed, it tastes bitter at first, then sweet, but becomes bland and tasteless after a few swallows.
3. Sun-Dried Ginseng
This is the dried root of Panax ginseng, processed to counterfeit American ginseng. It is cylindrical or spindle-shaped, with a root crown and fibrous roots. The upper part of the main root or the entire root has discontinuous ring-like transverse striations.The cross-section lacks a distinct chrysanthemum-like center, appearing pale yellowish-brown to light grayish-brown. Length: 5–15 cm; diameter: 1–2 cm. Light and spongy texture. Mild aroma; taste starts bland then turns slightly bitter. III. How to Identify Authentic American Ginseng 1. Taste TestTaste Test
Place a 0.8 cm diameter, 0.2 cm thick slice in the mouth. Both American ginseng and sun-dried ginseng are mildly sweet, but imported American ginseng has a stronger flavor and more pronounced saliva-inducing effect, with the taste lasting about 2 minutes. Domestic American ginseng is less flavorful than imported and the taste lasts about 1 minute. Sun-dried ginseng has a milder taste and weaker saliva-inducing effect.
2. Inspect Texture and Cracks
Imported American ginseng feels solid and heavy in the hand. Domestic American ginseng has a slightly inferior texture. Sun-dried ginseng feels lighter and floats in the hand. American ginseng has a dense texture with inconspicuous cracks on the cross-section. Sun-dried ginseng shows distinct cracks on its cross-section.
3. Examine wrinkles
Imported American ginseng exhibits irregular, coarse, and deep longitudinal wrinkles. Domestic American ginseng has a smoother surface with fine, shallow longitudinal wrinkles and distinct transverse wrinkles at the root head. Sun-dried ginseng shows sparse, shallow, discontinuous coarse transverse lines and noticeable longitudinal wrinkles on the upper root or entire root, though these longitudinal wrinkles are not as coarse or deep as those on imported American ginseng.
4. Smell the aroma
American ginseng possesses a distinctive fragrance, with imported varieties exhibiting a more intense aroma; sun-dried ginseng has a grassy scent.